The number of dengue cases in the country jumped by 65 percent in the first three weeks of 2015, compared with the same period in 2014.

Health Minister Dr S Subramaniam said the ministry recorded 8,502 dengue cases, with 20 deaths from the Aedes mosquito-borne disease.

This is a 186 percent jump from 2014, when only seven deaths were recorded during the first three weeks of the year.

Subramaniam told a press conference today that a factor for the increased number of cases was the change in dengue serotype from DEN-2 to DEN-1, which had occurred in August last year.

"Based on our observations, there will be an increase in the number of dengue cases and dengue-related deaths four months after the serotype shift," he noted.

As such, Subramaniam ( left ) said his ministry would implement a combo rapid test kit to confirm dengue cases in early diagnosis.

"This way, more dengue cases will be detected," he pointed out.

Apart from telling general practitioners (GPs) to use such kits, the minister stressed that he wanted them to look for other signs of dengue.

"Back then, we used to look for signs such as fever and rashes but now, even diarrhoea and sore throat can be symptoms of dengue.

"So general practitioners must be more aware of such signs. When diagnosing fevers, it is dengue, unless proven otherwise," he said.

Subramaniam also advised householders to carry out preventive measures - such as spraying insecticide - as 80 percent of dengue cases occur at the home.

"Spray insecticide between 6am and 8.30am and 6pm to 8.30pm for protection inside the house," he added.

Dengue is a top killer in Malaysia, with the number of cases in 2014 having tripled that in 2013.